My initial reaction is that this is an insanely good deal for the Edmonton Oilers. Ryan Smyth played the toughest available competition this season, saw a ton of time in the defensive zone, and is one of the few two-way wingers that the team can really trust. Beyond that, his offensive production this year is easily comparable to more hyped players, like Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan.

This is the second straight move where the Oilers have done an exceptional job. After landing a top prospect yesterday in Justin Schultz fat the cost of nothing more than an entry-level contract, today the Oilers have inked a bona fide top-nine winger - and, based on his year-long numbers, a top-six winger - for a little more money than they'll pay guys like Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones.

Not only does the club hang on to a player who for years personified the franchise, but they're getting quality for minimal dollars. This is a clear win for the team, and a message from Ryan Smyth that staying in Edmonton was more important than getting top dollar. Given the unpleasant things that have been said about Smyth's character over the last few weeks, the latter message should be one that resonates with fans.

This is nothing but good news.

Danis Re-Signs

And moments after the Smyth news breaks, the Oilers announce via Twitter that third-string goalie Yann Danis has agreed to a one-year contract. Danis was named AHL Goalie of the Year last season, and is as good as third-string goalies get; if Khabibulin struggles, the Oilers will have a legitimate option to fill-in for him.

Dollar figures haven't been announced, but the logical assumption is that it's a two-way deal for reasonable money. Barring a major surprise, this is another strong move by the club.

Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including the Edmonton Journal, Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

super pumped, now just re-sign Yann Danis and give him a shot to compete with either him or habby going down to OKC to mentor Bunz or Roy.
Has i'm typing they resigned Dannis. best off season in a long time and free agency hasn't even started

Not sure based on what the Oilers are needing this is the best signing BUT it is the right thing to do. This is what good organizations do with iconic veterans, even if they have possibly lost a step.

Now Smytty has to embrace the grizzled veteran third line role and help the kids. Push the hell out of them for top 6 minutes and PP time. But if it ends up being a lesser role, accept it and excel at it. Hopefully's Smytty's work ethic and passion are displayed and rub off on the kids.

Is it strange that I am more relieved by the Danis signing than the Smyth one? Danis and Roy could be a very good AHL duo and it might really help Roy's development.

I imagine that Smyth is going to be put in no-man's land for tough competition this year perhaps with some 2nd unit powerplay time to compensate. Any word on a NTC? If not, then Tambellini just wins one more check mark in contrast to some other *coughFeastercough* GMs.

Does this mean that the Oilers might look to trade Hemsky for that other top-four defenseman that everyone was talking about, rather than move him to LW on the 2nd line?

How about signing Doan as a UFA and trading Eager, pushing Ryan Jones down to the 4th line? The Oilers third line would then be Smyth, Horcoff and Doan. Veteran leadership and character would no longer be a problem.

The big tickets will probaby take a few days to sign offers. Parise and Suter both with offers to consider fron Minny. As much as I would like to see Parise in our division I am loath to have him 6 times a season as an opponent. Ray Whitney 4.5 per? Over pay much? If he commands that salary what about Doan? Is Pheonoix on the brink of irrelevancy? Do these players sign if the ownership wasn't so in doubt? Can QC be an option for 2012-2013 if Goldwater wins once again? I would think it would take 11 minutes to sell out season tickets for say 10 years? Pheonix. The rats are fleeing the ship. Tells you something.